Arizona - AATA
Arizona Automobile Theft Authority
Mission
To deter vehicle theft in Arizona through a cooperative effort by supporting law enforcement activities, vertical prosecution, and public awareness & community education programs.
Statute
The Arizona Legislature established the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) in its present form in 1997 which consists of a twelve (12) member board of directors. The purpose of the Authority is to combat and reverse the incidence of vehicle theft throughout the State of Arizona. A.R.S. §41.3451(c) (3) through (7) identifies the tasks of the Authority:
- Determine the scope of the problem of automobile theft, including areas of the state where the problem is greatest.
- Analyze the various methods of combating the problem of motor vehicle theft.
- Develop and implement a plan of operation.
- Develop and implement a financial plan.
- Solicit and accept gifts and grants.
A.R.S. §41.3451(g) defines how the Authority is to carry out its mission: The automobile theft authority shall allocate monies in the fund to public agencies for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and supporting programs that are designed to prevent motor vehicle theft, including:
- Financial support to law enforcement and prosecution agencies for programs that are designed to increase the effectiveness of motor vehicle theft prosecution.
- Financial support for programs that are designed to educate and assist the public in the prevention of motor vehicle theft.
Funding
The AATA collects $1.00 per vehicle insured in the State of Arizona ($0.50 bi-annually). The funds are deposited into the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Fund.
Board of Directors
The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Board of Directors consists of the following members:
- Two police chiefs who are appointed by the Arizona chiefs' of police association, one of whom represents a city or town with a population of one hundred thousand or more persons and one of whom represents a city or town with a population of less than one hundred thousand persons, or their designees.
- Two sheriffs who are appointed by the Arizona sheriffs' association, one of whom represents a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more persons and one of whom represents a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, or their designees.
- Two county attorneys who are appointed by the governor, one of whom represents a county with a population of one million or more persons and one of whom represents a county with a population of less than one million persons, or their designees.
- Two employees of insurers who are licensed to write motor vehicle liability insurance in this state and who are appointed by the governor.
- Two members of the general public who are appointed by the governor.
- The assistant director for the motor vehicle division in the department of transportation or the assistant director's designee.
- The director of the department of public safety or the director's designee.